Process and apparatus for producing sheet glass



Aug. 23, '1932. J. l.. DRAKE I 1,872,691

' IPROGESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING `SHEET GLASS Filed Jan. 18, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 amg Aug; 23, 1932. J. L. BRAKE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SHEET GLASS Filed Jan. 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O TAT/0N EEI/EES/BLE edf/frm BEI/fes/Lf Patented Aug. 23, 1932 j, UNITED STATES o PATENT `vOFFICE v.Tenn LQDRAKE, or TOLEDO, omo, 'AssrGNon OF TOLEDO, OHIO', A CO rnocnss AND APPARATUS Fon ronucme SHEET eLAss t Application mea January 1s,

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing sheet glass. Y

One of the objects of this invention' is to .provide means whereby a sheet of glass may be rolled from a'suitable source of supply' the sheet being maintained in the same plane 'l in which it is formed, at least until the sheet has become set. f

rotary members may be `reversely rotated -to teem or distributev the molten glass with respect to the sheet forming pass,

Still another object `of this invention is to provide in sheet forming apparatus, pairs of rotary members arranged to create two sheet of molten glass.

forming passes whereby molten glass may be supplied to said passes and 'there`rolled into Hat sheets, the two sheets being simultaneously rolled and supplied by the samemass Another object of the invention is to provide in sheet glass apparatus, two pairs of Irotary members, each pair being arrangedto create a sheet forming pass, the two pair of rotary members together forming a pocket wherein a mass of molten glass may be created to form-a sheet source for supplying molten glass to said two sheet forming passes.'v Another object of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus wherein two sheets may be rolled-from a single source' ofA supply of molten glass, each sheetbeing maintained in the same-,plane in which it is formed until after it has been annealed or at least sheet has been set. y A further object of the invention is to provide multiple sheet forming apparatus wherein pairs of rotary members 4areV provided, the rotary members of each pair being To LIIBBEY-owENs-Fonn GnAss ooMrANY, i

RPonATIoN or omo -J 1928'. Serial No.' 247,474.

arranged to create a sheet forming pass andthe pairs of rotary members together forming a pocket adapted to receive a mass of molten yglass constituting a sheet sourcewhereby a plurality of sheets may be simultaineously rolled from a single source `of supp s 5till another jobject of the invention is to provide such 4a multiple sheet formin apparatus wherein the pairs of rolls whic cooperate to Vform a pocket for containing the mass oie-molten glass may bereveisely rotated to teem or distribute the glass with re'- spect to the sheet forming passes.

` Other objects,.advantages and novel details of construction of the present invention` will be made more apparent `as this descript ,i tion proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings' wherein:

Fi ure 1 is a vvertical longitudinal sectiona view through form oftheapparatus'..

Figure 2 is a similar view through a slightly modified form of apparatus.

Figure 3 is a similar view through still another form of apparatus, and 1 Figure 4 is a fra entary vertical sectional view of another form of construction. Referring now to the drawings 'and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof it will be noted that there is illustrated a multiple sheet forming apparatus comprising a plurality, ere shown as two, rolls or drums 10 and 11. Each of these drums may beand preferably is of considerable size. While each drum ma be supported for rotation in any suitable'4 or esired manner each drum is herein shown as rotatablymounted on pairs of rollers 12 and 13 respectively `which in turn are journalled in bearings 14 and v15, mounted u on a su ,port 16. Either or both ofthe "ro er fm t mem ers 12 and 13 may be positively driven 1 to cause a' positive rotation of the'roll or drum members 10 or 11. Furthermore the temperature of the rolls or drums 10 and 11 may be controlled in any desired manner by anysuitable temperature control medium applied either interiorly or exteriorly thereto.

Cooperating respectively withk the `rolls 10 and 11 are adjustably mountedlrollsl'? and 18. Each of the rolls 17 a'nd 18may be carglass to the two ried in an adjustable bearing member 19 slidable in a standard 20 and adjusted by f" means of a threaded shaft 21 having a cooperating nut 22. A spring 23 is` preferably interposed between the bearing member 19 and the bracketor support 20 thereby permitting a separation of the rolls 17 or 18 -from the respective drums l0 and 11 when necessary. Normally the rolls are urged by the springs 23, toward their' respective drums, as -far as the adjusting mechanism 21 will'permit but in the event of a piece of clay or the like passing between the roll and drum the roll may be raised but will again assume its normal position after the foreign matter has passed therethrough.

The drums 10 and 11 cooperate to form a pocket to receive a'mass ofmolten glass 24. This single mass of molten glass provides a source of supply for supplying molten sheet forming passes 25 and 26 so that two entirely independent or separate sheets may be simultaneously rolled fxlom' a single source of supply of molten g ass.

The rolls 17 and 18are each preferably positively driven, but these rolls may be idled if desired, and to form the sheets of glass from the mass 24, the drums and rolls are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows. Upon rotation of the drums androlls in the direction indicated the molten glass 24 is advanced to the sheet forming passes 25 and 26 and is there formed into sheets S and S which are flat and of predetermined thickness. .4 Obviously by properly adjusting the rolls 17 and 18 the sheets Sand S may be formed v"of the same thickness or of different thicknesses.

In accordance with the present invention the sheets S and S are maintained in the plane in which they are formed for a con? siderable length of time either until after they have beenannealed or atleast until the sheets have become set. By maintaining the sheets Ain the same plane in which they are -formed there is no tendency foi' buckling,

warping or other similar defects in the sheet. If, however, the sheet is allowed to bend or be moved in an arcuate path there is a tendency for the formation of waves or other sinnlar defects. In accordance with the present invention the sheets S and S after being formed are moved in a straight line from their points of formation and supported in the substantially horizontal plane in which they leave the sheet forming mechanism by means of horizontally arranged supporting and conveying rolls 27. To further insure that the sheets are maintained` in the same plane or a straight line the supporting rolls` 27 may be so driven (by driving mechanism -not shown) that the sheets are placed under a slight tension which will obviously prevent sagging of the sheet between the supporting rolls. However, it should be understood, that the speed at which the rolls 27 are rotated is preferably such that there will be no tendency for the sheets to be appreciabl-y reduced in thickness. l

The reference character 28 indicates annealing lehrs through which the sheets are passed after they have been formed.

The molten glass 24, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure l, is deposited into the pocket formed by the drums l() and 11 from a pot 29 indicated by dot and dash lines and therefor the glass is known as pot glass. In the production of pot glass, the batch is melted and completely refined in the same receptacle, the glass being refined while it is maintained in a quiescent state so that the qualityv of the glass will be exceptionally good. The quality of the glass is good because glass produced in a pot is given sufficient time to permit the proper rening thus allowing the removal of bubbles, etc. which if allowed to remain, form seeds and blisters in the finished product. In operating the construction shown in Figure 1 a pot of glass is emptied into the pocket formed by drums 10 and 1l to form a source 24 from which the sheets S and S are produced. After a pot full of glass has been poured and rolled into sheets, the pocket created by the drums 10 and 1l may be cleaned or anotherpot full may be emptied into the pocket before the mass from the preceding pot has been entirely used, thus creating a continuous operation.

While any suitable means may be provided for rotating the roller membersv 12 and- 18 to thus drive` the drums 1() and 11 it is desirable that this driving mechanism for the drums 10 and 11 be such that these drums may be reversely rotated or in other words rotated in directions opposite to those indicated by the arrows. By reversely rotating these drum members the mass of molten glass 24 is teemed or distributed throughout the pocket and thus presented to both the sheet forming passes 25 and 26 throughout the length thereof. That is, the glass is initially deposited within the pocket intermediate the ends of the rolls or drums so that when thedrums are reversely rotated, such rotation will cause the molten glass to be spread laterally or longitudinally within the pocket to the end that when ythe rolls are again rotated in the directions indicated bythe arrows, the molten glass will be supplied to both sheet forming passes throughout the length thereof. In order to restrain the molten glass at the ends of the pocket substantially triangular plates or guns 30 are provided.

The modified form of construction illustrated in Figure 2 is identical with that illustrated in Figure 1 in every particular with one exception. Therefore, those parts which are similar to'those heretofore described inl detail will not again be specifically referred to. Corresponding reference characters'indicate corresponding parts in the two figures. The present construction illustrated in Figure 2 differs from the previously described construction in that in the present instance the source molten glass 24 which is supplied to the pocket formed by the drums 10 and 11 is created by means of a preferably continuous tank furnace 31. n this construction the` molten glass is allowed to discharge through an opening 32 controlled by a valve or the like 33.

In Figure 3 another form of construction is illustrated which includes a drum 35-rotatably mounted on rollers 36 either or both of which may be positively driven by means (not shown) to cause a positive` rotation of drum 35. As in the previously described forms of construction the temperature of the drum 35 may be controlled by any suitable temperature control medium applied i either interiorly or eXteriorly thereto.

Associated with the d rum is a roll 37 whlch cooperates therewith to form a. pocket which is adapted to receive a mass of molten the arrows. Molten glass which has previous- 1y been completely melted and refined in a receptacle such as pot 41 is poured into the -pocket formed between drum 35 and roll 37 to create the molten mass 38. As in the previously described forms of construction thesheet after l y -being formed is moved in a straight line from its points of. formation and forlthis purpose supporting and conveying rolls 42 are provid-l ed arranged in a horizontal plane. The ref-A erence character 43 designates an annealing lehr through which the sheet is passed after it has been formed. As previously mentioned the rolls 42 may be so driven that the sheet is Vplaced under'a slight tension which willobviously prevent sagging of the sheet between the supporting rolls. Additional upper rolls 44 may be provided in this form of construction and in both of the previously described forms of-constructon if found necessary or desirable in order to prevent slippageof the sheet when the rolls are driven tot put the same under tension.

' By reversely rotatingthe drum 35 and rolls 37 and 39 the mass of molten glass 38 may be readily teemed or distributed so as to spread the same uniformly throughout the pocket and in position to be advanced to the sheet moving sur forming pass 40. The ends of the-pocket are defined by guns or plates 45. v

In Figure 4 sheet forming means are illus.- trated wherein the sheet is drawn downwardly. In this form of construction there is illustrated a pair of forming rolls 46which cooperate to create a sheet forming pass 47 and a. pocket adapted to receive a mass of molten glass48 supplied thereto'in any de sired manner as for instance by means of a pot 49. Guns or triangular plates 50 define the ends of the pocket containingl the molten mass 48. The temperature of the forming 1 rolls 46 may be controlled by any vsuitable temperature control mediumf applied eitler 30 interiorly or exteriorly. p y

The sheet 51 is engaged byl sheet feeding rolls 52 and drawn downwardly where 1t is,J

passed into a lehr 53. During the sheet forming operation the forming rolls 46 rotate in 85 the direction of the arrows but in order that the mass of molten glass 48 may be thoroughyly teemed and distributed throughout .the

sheet forming pass prior to being reduced toy sheet form, the rolls areinitially rotated in the direction oppositeto the direction indicated by the arrpows.

While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein somewhat in detail'it will be 'readily apg5 -parent to those skilled in this art that various changes, modifications and rearrangements In@ be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and to this end reservation is made to make such changes as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

of molten glass, passing the glass between moyingsurfaces to produce a sheet of glass and initially teeming the mass by moving` said surfaces in a reverse direction.

2. In the process of producing sheet glass, lo

those steps which consist in creating a mass of molten lass, passing the glass between aces toproduce a sheet of glass, moving said sheet in a'straight line from -its point of' formation until it has become setV 115 l land initially teemingjhe mass by movingl said surfaces in a reverse direction.

3. In the process of producing sheet glass, those steps which consist in creatinga mass of molten glass on a moving surface, pass- 13,) ing the glass between its supporting surface and another moving surface to produce a sheet and initially teeming the glass by reversely moving the supporting surface.

4. In the process of producing sheet glass, ,l

sheet, moving the sheet in a straight line 1. In'the 'process of producing sheet glass, those steps which consist in creating a mass :C5

from the point of formation until it has become set, and initially teeming the lass by reversely moving the supporting sur ace.

5. In theJ process of producing sheet glass, those steps which consist in creating a mass of molten glass, simultaneously passing the` glass in opposite directions on moving surfaces to produce sheets of glass and initia-ll teeming the glass by reversely moving sai surfaces. y

6. In the process of producing sheet glass, those steps whichconsist in creating a mass 3f molten glass in a pocket formed by juxtapositioned rotatable members, simultaneously forming two sheets from said molten mass and initially teemingthe mass by reversely rotating said rotatable members.

7 In the process of Vproducing sheet glass, those steps which consist in creating a mass of molten glass in a pocket formed by juxtapositioned rotatable members, forming a sheet from said mass in a horizontal plane, moving said sheet in a straight horizontal plane until it has become set and initially teeming the mass by reversely rotating said rotatable members.

8. In the process of producing sheet glass,

. those steps which consist in creating a mass of molten glass in a pocket formed by juxtapositioned rotatable members, simultaneously forming two sheets therefrom and initialfly teeming the mass by reversely rotating said rotatable members.

9. In the process .of producing sheet glass, those steps which consist in creating a mass of molten glass in a pocket formed by juxtapositioned. rotatable members, simultaneously forming two sheets therefrom, moving said sheets in a straight line from their points for formation until said sheetshave become set and initially teeming the mass by reversely rotating said rotatable members.

I0. In the process of producing sheet-glass,

l those steps which consist in creating a mass of molten glass in a pocket formed by a pair of juxtapostioned' rotatable drums, passing the` glass in opposite directions between said drums and cooperating moving surfaces to produce sheets and initially teeming the glass by reversely rotating said drums.

11. In the process of producing sheet glass, those steps which consist in creating a mass of molten vglass in a pocket formed by juxtapostioned rotatable drums, passing the glass in opposite directions between said drumsv and other moving surfaces,l to produce sheets, moving each sheet in a straight line from its point of formation until it hasA become substantially set and initially teeming the mass by reversely rotating said rotatable drums.

cooperating with said drums for rolling said ter described compr1sing in combination, a

pair of rotatable drums juxtapositioned to form a pocket, means for creating a mass of molten glass in said pocket, a roll associated with each drum and arranged to create a sheet forming pass whereby the molten glass from said pocket may be moved through said passes to simultaneously form a plurality of sheets and means for reversely rotating said drums to initially teem the mass of molten glass in said pocket.

14. In sheet glass apparatus, a pair of rotatable drums associated with one another to form a pocket therebetween within which is adapted to be received a mass of molten glass, a roll associated with each drum and cooperating therewith to create a sheet forming pass, means for rotating said drums whereby the molten glass will be moved from the pocket through said passes to simultaneously form a plurality of sheets, and horizontally disposed means for receiving the sheets and ary, 1928. y

JOHN L. DRAKE. 

